Paramedic Certificate Program Application and Admission Process

The MCC Paramedic Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This accreditation qualifies you to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exam upon graduation.

Important Note: Prospective students must apply to the MCC Paramedic Certificate Program; it is not open enrollment. Admission is competitive and requires a formal application process.

• Paramedic Certificate Program Structure

  Over eleven months, you will complete five sequential courses in a hybrid format—combining in-person classroom lectures and labs with asynchronous online learning and diverse clinical experiences.

  Credentialing

  Upon completion, you will be eligible to apply for your Paramedic Certificate and may choose to further your career by pursuing an AAS in Prehospital Emergency Care.

  All your coursework within the paramedic program is articulated. You may transfer your credits, along with your AAS in Prehospital Emergency Care, to most universities, including Southern Illinois University (SIU). You can also find undergraduate programs in Public Safety Management offered locally by SIU.

  Sponsorship

  The program is sponsored by the McHenry Western Lake County EMS System, as part of Northwestern Medicine and IDPH Region IX.

  Compliance

  Coursework complies with the 2021 EMS Education Standards and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) rules pertaining to EMS education.

  Proven Success

  Graduation and NREMT pass rates exceed state and national averages. For more detailed statistics, see our EMS Paramedic Program Outcome Results

• Paramedic Certificate Program Prerequisites

  You can apply for the MCC Paramedic Program if you reasonably believe you will meet the following prerequisites by August 1. Please note that if you do not meet all prerequisites by this date, you will be disqualified from participating in the program.

  • Be a licensed Emergency Medication Technician (EMT) or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) in Illinois.
  • Prove a minimum of six months of active employment as a licensed EMT or AEMT in a patient care environment, or 72 documented prehospital patient care interactions as a licensed EMT or AEMT.
  • Possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider card issued by the American Heart Association.
  • Complete a medical examination, including immunization records, titers, and boosters if applicable.
  • Consent to a criminal background check².
  • Provide a fully executed sponsorship agreement(s) with a program-affiliated agency³.
• Paramedic Certificate Program Admission Process

  Applications for the MCC Paramedic Certificate Program are traditionally accepted in March of each year. The application and admission process consists of five components:

  1. Online application
  2. Mandatory Orientation¹
  3. Written Examinations
  4. Skill Assessment
  5. Oral Interview

  Applicants are encouraged to use the study guide to prepare for the written exams and skill assessments.

1. Applicants may request an exemption from the Mandatory Orientation under limited circumstances. Contact the application coordinator for more information. ↵
2. In accordance with the Illinois Administrative Code, applicants with certain felony convictions or who are delinquent in child support may be ineligible to participate. ↵
3. Applicants may contact the application coordinator for a list of affiliated agencies. Applicants sponsored by agencies with low call volumes may be required to obtain a secondary sponsorship agreement to meet clinical requirements. ↵